No CL = no big signings?

[mom]

Klavan was 4th choice and he's not much worse than Lovrén.

Nah he's nowhere near as good as lovren. Lovren can have bad games now and then, but he's been pretty good for a while now and his ceiling is way above Klavan's.
Personally, I think we need two CBs. Lovren as back up and Matip. Matip can be good on his day, but his injury record fills me with dread.

 

[Hansern]

Klavan was 4th choice and he's not much worse than Lovrén, from what I've seen.

And Karius can still be a long term keeper for us. He's young but havent made an impact yet. That can still happen.

 

[Mors]

The reason that champions league football wasn't a big deal in respect of utd's transfer market power is that they've been successful in recent years, and have a massive amount of money so can buy whoever they like on whatever contracts they like. Non of those points are applicable to us as we're winning fuck all, and we're in with the peasants that are hindered by FFP, all the big(ger) clubs are not.
If we had a sugar daddy with unlimited financial resources, we could sign who we like, and all the mercenary footballers would turn up saying how they were attracted by our massive history the shysters.

 

[beejay]

It's not just a case of buying another one or two centrebacks, they have to be able to form a partnership. It was interesting to see Conte say that Terry was not considered as a sub for the ill Cahill because Nathan Ake was his replacement. Terry could only deputise for Luis while Zouma comes in if Azpilicueta is unavailable. They have defined roles.

I would have a concern if we paid big money for Van Dijk and then expect him to slot in alongside Matip. Both are very tall and leggy while what we need is one who is commanding in the air and the other who is more athletic, faster and a shot-blocker. One of them has to be a talker, to arrange the defence. Bit like Hyypia and Carragher if you like. We badly lack an out-and-out defender who fucking hates conceding goals and will throw himself at shots, crosses etc. None of our fairies are prepared to do the dirty work.

I hope we buy Van Dijk and someone like Keane who has one of the best stats in the league for blocks and clearances. We have to sort that defence out. Also on the list has to be a left back and a pacy holding midfielder.

 

[keniget]

It's not just a case of buying another one or two centrebacks, they have to be able to form a partnership. It was interesting to see Conte say that Terry was not considered as a sub for the ill Cahill because Nathan Ake was his replacement. Terry could only deputise for Luis while Zouma comes in if Azpilicueta is unavailable. They have defined roles.

I would have a concern if we paid big money for Van Dijk and then expect him to slot in alongside Matip. Both are very tall and leggy while what we need is one who is commanding in the air and the other who is more athletic, faster and a shot-blocker. One of them has to be a talker, to arrange the defence. Bit like Hyypia and Carragher if you like. We badly lack an out-and-out defender who fucking hates conceding goals and will throw himself at shots, crosses etc. None of our fairies are prepared to do the dirty work.

I hope we buy Van Dijk and someone like Keane who has one of the best stats in the league for blocks and clearances. We have to sort that defence out. Also on the list has to be a left back and a pacy holding midfielder.

Lovren kinda does, he just makes a mess of it at times.

His gamble for the first goal yesterday made me want to weep.

 

[manwithnoname]

It's not just a case of buying another one or two centrebacks, they have to be able to form a partnership. It was interesting to see Conte say that Terry was not considered as a sub for the ill Cahill because Nathan Ake was his replacement. Terry could only deputise for Luis while Zouma comes in if Azpilicueta is unavailable. They have defined roles.

I would have a concern if we paid big money for Van Dijk and then expect him to slot in alongside Matip. Both are very tall and leggy while what we need is one who is commanding in the air and the other who is more athletic, faster and a shot-blocker. One of them has to be a talker, to arrange the defence. Bit like Hyypia and Carragher if you like. We badly lack an out-and-out defender who fucking hates conceding goals and will throw himself at shots, crosses etc. None of our fairies are prepared to do the dirty work.

I hope we buy Van Dijk and someone like Keane who has one of the best stats in the league for blocks and clearances. We have to sort that defence out. Also on the list has to be a left back and a pacy holding midfielder.

Thing is, the Matip/ Lovren partnership sort of does have that complimentary skillset to a point, with Lovren being the more physical presence and Matip the cerebral, passing compliment, but neither seem great in the air, and I suppose the biggest issue is that neither seem all that good at basic defending at times.

I have more long-term confidence in Matip, but even he seems absurdly overrated by many.

As for Terry, he has always needed to play next to a defender with pace, given he has none. He can do every other part of the job brilliantly (well, he used to anyway) because he can certainly mix it physically, he's great in the air, and he's also superb with the ball at his feet. His vulnerability to players running at him, and quick movement has always been there.

 

[Frogfish]

'Complement' FFS !

Anyone who thinks no CL will not hinder us is in dreamland. Ditto anyone who thinks we are at the same level as United / Chelsea / City as far as attracting players goes.

 

[beejay]

Thing is, the Matip/ Lovren partnership sort of does have that complimentary skillset to a point, with Lovren being the more physical presence and Matip the cerebral, passing compliment, but neither seem great in the air, and I suppose the biggest issue is that neither seem all that good at basic defending at times.

I have more long-term confidence in Matip, but even he seems absurdly overrated by many.

As for Terry, he has always needed to play next to a defender with pace, given he has none. He can do every other part of the job brilliantly (well, he used to anyway) because he can certainly mix it physically, he's great in the air, and he's also superb with the ball at his feet. His vulnerability to players running at him, and quick movement has always been there.

That's right and the Lovren-Matip partnership has worked OK this season but we need a big improvement and I'm not sure Van Dijk for Lovren is the answer.

 

[manwithnoname]

That's right and the Lovren-Matip partnership has worked OK this season but we need a big improvement and I'm not sure Van Dijk for Lovren is the answer.

I'd be tempted to buy two CBs at this rate

 

[moron]

The name/coach last season saw us bring in a player from Southampton, a midfielder from relegated Newcastle and a free transfer from Germany. So I'd say it's fairly significant. I think Klopp can attract big names, but those big names might want CL football, so it's the complete package that will be the key.

Totally agree on this Mark. Also for the original poster i just wanna say that the chances of beating wither watford or west ham away are very thin.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using SixCrazyMinutes mobile app

 

[Hansern]

Totally agree on this Mark. Also for the original poster i just wanna say that the chances of beating wither watford or west ham away are very thin.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using SixCrazyMinutes mobile app

The player from Southampton has turned out to be our best buy in years and one of the best buys this season.
The midfielder from a relegated club has also improved us greatly.

So, maybe its not about attracting the big name players, but the right players? We've been signing the wrong ones for years.

 

[manwithnoname]

The player from Southampton has turned out to be our best buy in years and one of the best buys this season.
The midfielder from a relegated club has also improved us greatly.

So, maybe its not about attracting the big name players, but the right players? We've been signing the wrong ones for years.

That last paragraph could be used to sum up every thread on 6cm ever

 

[FoxForceFive]

I'm utterly convinced that Klopp hasn't attempted to sign top drawer players in order to keep his powder dry on the assumption that we'd get fourth place & attract better players with that cash.

Unfortunately, that plan may have failed, as if we don't get CL this season we will have to go out & spend cash on players below that top level in order to attempt to gain qualification for the CL next season.

 

[HC]

What a difference joe allen could have made this season before his injury..

I dont think our best eleven or even squad needed worldies to have allowed us an easier go at the four we just needed consistently average / good performers in several key positions.

It does need considerable investment if our season isn't going to implode come November next year.

Id also suggest we look at the fitness regime of the squad to look at curtailing injuries that have absolutely shagged this season, sorting that out would go some way to negate needing x more signings this summer